Walt Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley has revealed more of the Connections Café and Eatery flooring inspired by Walt Disney’s original “Florida Project” plans. See photos and read Riddley’s post below.

Disney fans may recognize this first image from the EPCOT film, released in 1967, as Walt Disney described his grand vision for the “Florida project.” Standing proudly with pointer in hand, Walt relayed with great enthusiasm details on the early master plan for “Disney World,” including an “airport of the future,” an entrance complex for visitors, an industrial park and an area reserved for theme parks at the north of the property.

Walt passed away very soon after articulating this vision, but the spirit of his concept – that Walt Disney World and EPCOT would be a place where the power of possibility would inspire the world – lived on.

That idea is alive today and continues to inform our design choices for EPCOT. Drawing inspiration from Walt’s Florida project master plan, Imagineers designed a flooring inlay for Connections Eatery at EPCOT which would infuse the original DNA of the resort into this new location within World Celebration. One of my favorite details is the intersection of I-4 and US 192 highways, represented by the orange lines which cut across the map. Linework showing original ideas for EPCOT, Magic Kingdom and other recreational amenities reflect the diversity and scale that has always been the guiding vision for Walt Disney World.

Many guests may not know the origin of this design. But these details, big and small, matter to the work we do – reflecting our own history and bridging our past to our future. Walt dreamed of a place that would connect the world through ideas, wonder and inspiration. And we are honored to reflect his vision in our design for World Celebration and for Connections Café and Eatery.

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